MANSFIELD, Texas – A kindergarten student from North Texas celebrated her first day of school in style.

The Lancaster Fire Department dropped off 5-year-old Kayla Peterson at Boren Elementary School in Mansfield ISD on Wednesday morning.

Kayla’s father, Brandon, was a firefighter in Lancaster for ten years.

Then, in 2019, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Just one year later, the 31-year-old loving husband and father of two children died while on duty.

The fire department said it was a tradition for its firefighters to care for the children of fallen heroes.

Picking them up in a fire truck on their first day of school is just one way to make them feel special.

Kayla’s mother said the gesture meant more to the family than anyone could imagine.

“I wish he was here, but at the same time, I feel so blessed with the guys at Lancaster Fire Department and how they’re always there for us. They’ve never stopped being there for us. They helped us move. We moved recently. They built the swing set for the girls. They’ve taken Avery out for the last three years. They’ve just been there for big moments like this. When Brandon can’t be here, they’re there,” said Allison Peterson.

Kayla’s older sister received the same honor when she started kindergarten three years ago.